Tuesday, February 8, 2011

In-depth look: Guardian

The guardian is a soldier profession who excels in magical and physical combat, as well as support.

Guardian concept art.

The guardian specializes in passive boons and effects that enhance their own abilities, which can also be relinquished and dispersed amongst their allies temporarily - making them excellent in both offense and support. They also have exclusive access to three special abilities known as virtues: Courage, Justice and Resolve. These abilities provide a constant passive effect to the player, and bestow a temporary benefit to all nearby allies (including themselves) when those abilities are activated, at the cost of being disabled for a long period - much like how signet skills operate. Those virtues help to balance the guardian; for example, they have a lower base health than the warrior profession, but compensate for this with their higher health regeneration granted by Resolve. These abilities are not considered to be part of the skill bar and can be activated regardless of the weapon held.

Special skill types

Aegis — Guardians are adept in the use of Aegis, a removable boon that blocks the next attack. Guardians have access to this boon through the virtue of Courage.

Symbols — The guardian places symbols on the ground, where they inflict damage to enemies or deliver a benefit to allies. Symbols persist for a few seconds and then go away. For instance, Symbol of Faith is a hammer attack that leaves a transient symbol on the ground, giving allies the Vigor boon.

Spirit Weapons — The guardian can summon spirit weapons to fight at his side for a limited time. Spirit weapons cannot be attacked by enemies and can be commanded to inflict a powerful attack before disappearing. For example, Hammer of Wisdom can be summoned to fight alongside a guardian, then commanded to knock down an enemy and vanish.

Wards — A ward is a marked area on the ground that stops enemies from passing through while allowing allies to move freely. For example, a staff-wielding guardian can create a Line of Warding in front of him that keeps enemies from reaching the allies behind him.

Spirit weapons concept art.

Armor

The guardian is a soldier profession and thus wears heavy armor.

Weapons

Two-handed

Hammer

Greatsword - For mobility and AoE damage with a little support and control.

Staff - A defensive weapon.

Main-hand

Mace - A defensive weapon.

Scepter - A ranged offensive weapon.

Sword

Off-hand

Focus

Shield - A defensive weapon.

Torch - An offensive weapon.

There are 12 combinations of weapon sets available for this profession. The Guardian can switch between weapon sets.

Man, definitely going to follow you - your posts are very detailed and informative! I loved the Original Guild Wars - had over 5000hours on my monk alone! Should check out my blog and see if there is anything you like! Thanks, Giulzz.